Decisions

11.1

The report provides details of proposed changes to the existing Capital Programme as brought forward in Month 05 2022/23.

11.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Strategy and Resources Policy Committee approves the proposed additions and variations to the Capital Programme listed in Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 of the report.

11.3

Reasons for Decision

11.3.1

The proposed changes to the Capital programme will improve the services to the people of Sheffield

11.3.2

To formally record changes to the Capital Programme and gain Member approval for changes in line with Financial Regulations and to reset the capital programme in line with latest information

11.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

11.4.1

A number of alternative courses of action are considered as part of the process undertaken by Officers before decisions are recommended to Members. The recommendations made to Members represent what Officers believe to be the best options available to the Council, in line with Council priorities, given the constraints on funding and the use to which funding is put within the Revenue Budget and the Capital Programme.

10.1

To approve a grant payment to South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA)/South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) in relation to Section 106 obligation for planning application 13/01682/FUL.

When the planning application to the IKEA retail store was granted planning permission, the developer entered into an agreement (known as a Section 106 Agreement) with Sheffield City Council as Local Planning Authority, to provide conditions to mitigate the material impacts of this development. Amongst other provisions, the Section 106 Agreement secured a payment of £395,000 for upgrades to bus services in the Tinsley area.

This report seeks approval to remit this funding to SYMCA/SYPTE in order to increase the number of bus services on the relevant routes than would otherwise be available.

10.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Strategy and Resources Policy Committee agrees to remit this funding in relation to Section 106 obligation for planning application 13/01682/FUL by way of grant to SYMCA/SYPTE in order to increase the number of services on the relevant routes than would otherwise be available.

10.3

Reasons for Decision

There is no other available option.

10.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

10.4.1

Other options have been considered and discounted such as upgrading infrastructure like bus stops in the area or upgrading the buses themselves, but this has largely already been completed using other monies, so the current proposal best improves the services in the area that would otherwise be available to customers etc.

9.1

The report seeks approval for the commissioning of an Occupational Health (including Health Surveillance) service contract and an Employee Assistance Programme services contract via a framework agreement at the expiry of the current contract in June 2023.

9.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Strategy and Resources Policy Committee:-

1.    Approves the commissioning of the Occupational Health service by way of service contract with a term of 4 years and estimated value of £1.2 million, as set out in this report; and

2.    Approves the commissioning of the Employee Assistance Programme by way of a service contract with a term of 4 years and an estimated value of £250,000, as set out in this report.

9.3

Reasons for Decision

9.3.1

To ensure continued access to an Occupational Health service and Employee Assistance Programme that supports the Councils employees and members health and wellbeing needs.

9.3.2

To minimise the risks that were identified during the consideration of alternative options.

9.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

9.4.1

In addition to the proposal the following option was considered during the early parts of the Trade Union engagement phase regarding the future provision of Occupational Health services.

To bring services in-house at the expiry of the contract – consideration has been given as to whether the service or parts of the service were to be brought back in-house. Several issues make this option challenging and costly including.

• Cost and difficulty of recruitment to OH roles

• Overall management of a new specialist function.

• The service must be under the clinical direction of a registered medical practitioner who is a member of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine and has appropriate experience

• Ongoing cost of Occupational Health (OH) Specialist technicians & nurses, OH Physician, Mental Health/psychological & trauma specialists, MSK specialist, Appointed Doctor Asbestos Medicals, Physiotherapists and Administrators

• Ongoing Continuous Professional Development time/costs

• SCC must meet the standards for a Safe Efficient Quality Occupational Health Service (SEQOHS), published by the Faculty of Occupational Medicine (FOM) to ensure Clinical Governance

• Set up and maintenance of rooms and equipment to OH standards of privacy and care

• Purchase of an OH referral and record keeping system

• Provision of a 24/7, 365 days a year Employee Assistance Programme – this element could be purchased separately

• Engagement of Agency staff to act as standby to ensure an acceptable level of resilience

9.4.2

In general, it was considered that these issues are currently insurmountable, although this does not preclude giving further consideration to some of the services being delivered in-house in the future or by splitting provision between different providers of OH services and EAP services.

9.4.3

An initial assessment of what services should be delivered by an OH provider and what services can be provided in-house has been completed.

8.1

The report brings the Committee up to date with the Council’s financial position as at Month 5 2022/23.

8.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Strategy and Resources Policy Committee notes the Council’s challenging financial position as at the end of August 2022 (month 5).

8.3

Reasons for Decision

8.3.1

Under section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003, the Chief Finance Officer of an authority is required to report on the following matters:

• the robustness of the estimates made for the purposes of determining its budget requirement for the forthcoming year; and

• the adequacy of the proposed financial reserves.

8.3.2

There is also a requirement for the authority to have regard to the report of the Chief Finance Officer when making decisions on its budget requirement and level of financial reserves.

8.3.3

By the law the Council must set and deliver a balanced budget, which is a financial plan based on sound assumptions which shows how income will equal spend over the short- and medium-term. This can take into account deliverable cost savings and/or local income growth strategies as well as useable reserves. However, a budget will not be balanced where it reduces reserves to unacceptably low levels and regard must be had to any report of the Chief Finance Officer on the required level of reserves under section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003, which sets obligations of adequacy on controlled reserves.

8.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

8.4.1

The Council is required to both set a balance budget and to ensure that in-year income and expenditure are balanced. No other alternatives were considered

12.1

The report outlines the progress to date from each Policy Committee in delivering a balanced budget for 2023/24 and to note the budget proposals for the Strategy & resources committee.

12.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Strategy and Resources Policy Committee:-

1. Thanks the Policy Committees and their Officers for the work done so far on the 2023/24 budget process;

2. Notes the contents of Appendix 1 (confidential) which sets out the actions put forward by each Committee in response to the Strategy and Resources Committee’s request of 5 July for a list of options that would achieve a balanced budget position for each Committee;

3. Notes, as this Committee's initial response to the Strategy and Resources Committee's request of 5 July, the set of budget proposals set out in Appendix 2 (confidential) of this report;

4. Notes that Officers will now work with Members to consult with relevant stakeholders (including with partners, trades unions and in respect of equalities and climate change) on the proposals in this report so as to inform final budget proposals;

5. Notes that Officers will work to develop any necessary detailed implementation plans for the proposals in this report so that the proposals, if ultimately approved, can be implemented as planned before or during the 2023/24 financial year;

6. Approves the contingent use of a further £5m of reserves as set out in section 1.3.3 of this report; and

7. Asks to receive a final report in December that will set out the final budget for the Council and for this Committee.

12.3

Reasons for Decision

The Council is required by law to set a balanced budget each year. This report is pursuant to that objective and is in line with the process and timetable agreed by the Strategy and Resources Committee on 31 May 2022 and 5 July 2022.

12.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

The Council is required by law to set a balance budget and therefore no other alternatives can be considered.

8.

EDUCATION, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES BUDGET REPORT: OPTIONS FOR 23/24 BUDGET

8.1

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Children’s Services. It set out the budget pressures and risks facing the services which fell under the Education, Children and Families committee area, and began to develop a budget action plan to mitigate these as far as possible. It provided recommendations for approval which would allow the service to contribute to Sheffield City Council’s budget pressure.

8.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Education, Children and Families Policy Committee: -

• Note the financial pressures 2023/24 detailed within this report.
• Acknowledge the recommendation approved at the Strategy and Resources Committee on 5 July 2022 that “Policy Committees will be asked to develop savings / additional income options that cover their own pressures – in effect cash standstill” and to “require Policy Committees to report at their meetings in September on how they can balance their budgets.”
• Note, as this Committee's initial response to the Strategy and Resources Committee's request, the set of budget proposals set out in this report and in appendix 1.
• Note that Officers will now work with Members to consult with relevant stakeholders (including with partners, trades unions and in respect of equalities and climate change) on the proposals in this report so as to inform final budget proposals.
• Note that Officers will work to develop any necessary detailed implementation plans for the proposals in this report so that the proposals, if ultimately approved, can be implemented as planned before or during the 2023/24 financial year.
• Ask to receive a further report in November that will set out the final budget for this Committee following consultation and any adjustments requested by the Strategy and Resources Committee.

8.3

Reasons for Decision

The recommendations put forward in this paper and appendix 1 are recommended for approval on the basis that they : -

• Are consistent with our agreed approach to demand management, sufficiency, and meeting our obligations to provide quality statutory services which meet the needs of the child or young person
• Are consistent with our vision/strategy to provide services and opportunities which support each child and young person within Sheffield to meet their potential.
• Support the ongoing improvement of Education, Children and Family services in Sheffield
• Are guided by an evidence base, benchmarking and/ or trend data which identifies areas of spend where disinvestment, subject to individual review, can most likely be made without detriment
• Enable the Council to continue to meet its legal duties.

8.4

8.4.1

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

Do nothing - By undertaking none of the proposed actions, we would be unable to contribute to delivering a balanced budget.

11.

ENSURING A GOOD EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN WHO CANNOT ATTEND SCHOOL BECAUSE OF HEALTH NEEDS – POLICY STATEMENT

11.1

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Children’s Services which presented a policy statement to ensure a good education for children who cannot attend school because of health needs.

11.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Education, Children and Families Committee:-

(a) approves the proposed policy statement

11.3

Reasons for Decision

It is a requirement for the local authority to have a policy statement in place. By approving the statement, the local authority will meet this statutory duty.

11.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

The Local Authority is required to have a policy statement that is compliant with statutory guidance. The policy articulates practice in place for the local authority to meet its statutory duties.

10.

SPECIAL FREE SCHOOL BID TO SUPPORT SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS AND DISABILITIES SUFFICIENCY

10.1

The Committee considered a report of the Strategic Commissioning Manager seeking approval to submit a joint bid with Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, for a new special free school in Sheffield, ahead of the deadline on 21^st October 2022.

This school would provide additional special school places for children and young people with needs relating to autism spectrum condition and communication/interaction.

To highlight the wider special educational needs and disability sufficiency position, ahead of a further report at a following committee date on this topic.

10.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Education, Children and Families Policy Committee: -

(a) Approval of joint bid with Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council for new 200 place (100 places for Sheffield) primary-secondary special free school in Sheffield

(b) If a joint bid falls through ahead of the deadline on the 21^st October 2022, a Sheffield only bid is submitted instead

(c) The committee endorses the principle of funding any abnormal site costs as a result of a successful bid from the High Needs Capital Allocation

(d) Further report on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities sufficiency to be presented at later committee

10.3

Reasons for Decision

The recommended option will deliver the following outcomes:-

·   It is proposed that the joint bid is submitted as a new school will help meet forecast demand. A joint bid maximises chances of success. Through the special free school opportunity, the school can be delivered at a lower capital cost than it would be if reliant on Sheffield funds only

·   Intended outcomes include increased availability of special school places, reduced inequalities and reduced reliance on high-cost independent placements.

·   It is also proposed that a further special educational needs and disability sufficiency report is presented at a following committee meeting.

10.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

10.4.1

Option One: No Bid

Not submitting a bid was considered, however this was discounted due to the level of need that is forecast, the limited existing space that is available, and the opportunity to secure additional capital funding.

10.4.2

Option Two: Sheffield Only Bid

A Sheffield only bid was considered, this would have the benefit of a higher number of places. However, this would also increase costs for the Local Authority. The chances of success of a Sheffield only bid would also appear to be significantly lower than a joint bit with Barnsley.

Therefore, whilst submitting a joint bid is a risk itself, as this has not been done before, it would appear to be a risk worth taking to increase chances of success.

If a joint bid falls through ahead of the deadline on the 21^st October, it is proposed that Sheffield only bid is submitted instead.

10.4.3

Option Three: Post-16 Bid

A bid for a special free school to provide post 16 places was considered. However, this was bid was not developed as concerns were identified in relation to whether it would be successful.

Concerns included whether the Education Skills Funding Agency would support the bid, as they typically support use and development of relationships with existing post 16 providers, rather than development of new providers.

It is also less clear where the school would fit into Sheffield’s post 16 landscape, and more work is needed locally to improve this position. This links to the Accelerator Progress Plan following the local area re-inspection for special educational needs and disabilities in February 2022.

Further development of post 16 will be part of the wider sufficiency plan, presented to committee at a later date.

8.1

The report provided an update of the key national and local contextual influences on the development of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan 2023/24. It included an explanation of the legal and financial framework governing the creation of the HRA Business Plan along with an assessment of associated risk. It set the scene for a more detailed exploration of the potential options for delivering a balanced HRA Business Plan to be considered by this Committee in November 2022.

8.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Housing Policy Committee:-

1.     Notes the HRA Business Plan update and wider national and local influences as described in this report.

2.     Recommends that a further HRA Business Plan 2023/24 report to be presented at the Housing Policy Committee in November 2022 including recommendations around the rent increases for 2023/24, the HRA budget for 2023/24 and savings proposals for 2023/24.

8.3

Reasons for Decision

8.3.1

To optimise the number of good quality affordable council homes in the city;

8.3.2

To maximise the financial resources to deliver key service outcomes for tenants and the city in the context of a self-financing funding regime;

8.3.3

To ensure that tenants’ homes continue to be well maintained and to optimise investment in estates; and

8.3.4

To assure the long-term sustainability of council housing in Sheffield.

8.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

8.4.1

Sheffield City Council has a statutory duty to produce an annual balanced HRA budget, which is evidenced by the business plan update, therefore no alternative option was considered to producing this report.

11.1

The report provided the Committee with an overview of housing performance for a range of services within the remit of the Committee. The report covered the period for quarter 1 (April – June) of 2022/2023. The first part of the report provided an analysis of the performance, setting this within both the national and local context in which services are delivered. More detailed appendices were included with data showing comparative data form other landlords and regulatory performance. The report allowed the Committee to understand and comment on the performance delivery of housing services to both tenants and citizens.

11.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Housing Policy Committee:-

1.     Notes the Performance Report update provided for quarter 1 of 2022/2023.

2.     Highlights any issues of concern.

11.3

Reasons for Decision

11.3.1

The Housing Policy Committee has delegated authority to monitor the performance of Housing services to ensure that:-

1.     The service is delivering for tenants, and that tenant satisfaction in closely monitored.

2.     Limited resources are maximised due to budgetary pressures.

3.     The Council is delivering on corporate priorities.

4.     Performance information is shared with external organisations such as the Regulator of Social Housing and the Housing Ombudsman for scrutiny as, well as with tenants and, the Council’s Housing and Neighbourhood Service Tenancy Scrutiny meetings.

11.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

11.4.1

The Housing Policy Committee has delegated responsibility for the regular monitoring of data including performance and financial information, and the performance monitoring of Housing (public sector, private sector, and related functions) services. Therefore, no alternative options to the production of this report have been considered.

9.1

The report provided an update of the budgetary challenges for the Housing General Fund in 2023/24. It set the scene for a more detailed exploration of the potential options for delivering a balanced Housing General Fund to be considered by the Housing Committee in November 2022.

9.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Housing Policy Committee:-

1.     Notes the Housing General Fund financial pressures 2023/24 detailed within the report.

2.     Recommends that a further Housing General Fund 2023/24 report to be presented at the Housing Policy Committee in November 2022 including recommendations on savings proposals for 2023/24.

9.3

Reasons for Decision

9.3.1

Members were asked to note the unsustainable financial position highlighted by the medium-term financial analysis presented to Strategy and Resources Committee in July 2022. The report and its recommendations, set out the scale of the challenge ahead, the limited resources available and some of the difficult decisions that will need to be taken.

9.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

9.4.1

The Council is required to both set a balance budget and to ensure that in-year income and expenditure are balanced. No other alternatives were considered.

10.1

The purpose of the paper proposed a price increase in October 2022 for Community heating charges; to mitigate the risk that the significant energy price changes over the last 6 months has now put on the Community Heating Account.

The current energy crisis puts Sheffield City Council and many other authorities in a very challenging position, the point at which we forecast costs for this year was at a point at which the true cost of gas was still largely unknown. Forecasts ranged daily with a lack of any certainty at a fixed point. A price increase was recommended to full cabinet based on the information at the time which was an assumed increase of 37%. The actual increase is now 107%. Charges are still fluctuating as the crisis is ongoing and further increase will be needed next year.

If charges to customers are not increased, the current forecast estimates that there will be a short fall of more than £1 million, by the end of the current financial year in the community heating account, which would need to be supported by the HRA or General Fund, until it could be recovered.

10.2

RESOLVED: That Housing Policy Committee:-

1.     Approve that the standing rate change remains fixed at £4.90 per week for the duration of the financial year and the kWh charge is increased from 5.69p per kWh to 12p per kWh from October 2022.

10.3

Reasons for Decision

10.3.1

It is widely documented that the energy price cap will be increased again in October, whilst community heating does not fall under the price cap at this time, it is a clear point for all other customers that at this stage they can expect to see prices increase. Consumption is also at the lowest in the summer months and changing prices now will not have as much impact. The recommendation to increase the prices is required to relieve the pressure on the Housing Revenue Account and to ensure that tenants on community heating are not subsidised for the increase in energy costs that all other tenants are experiencing and that support is out in place to work with any tenant facing hardship to ensure any available help available is identified.

10.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

10.4.1

Consideration was given to either not increasing the prices, or only increasing them a smaller amount now to minimise impact on tenants who have community heating. This was rejected as this would in effect mean we are subsidising community heating tenants over all other tenants. There is also the risk that prices will continue to rise and that a smaller increase now would just mean needing an even larger increase later.

13.1

The report brought the Committee up to date with the Council’s financial position as at Month 4 2022/23.

13.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Housing Policy Committee:-

1.     Note the Council’s challenging financial position as at the end of July 2022 (month 4).

13.3

Reasons for Decision

By the law the Council must set and deliver a balanced budget, which is a financial plan based on sound assumptions which shows how income will equal spend over the short- and medium-term. This can take into account deliverable cost savings and/or local income growth strategies as well as useable reserves.

13.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

13.4.1

The Council is required to both set a balance budget and to ensure that in-year income and expenditure are balanced. No other alternatives were considered.

12.1

The Complaint Handling Code was introduced in July 2020 by the Housing Ombudsman and updated further in April 2022. It sets out how the Housing Ombudsman expects social landlords to manage customer complaints, describes best practice and supports landlords in responding to complaints effectively and fairly.

A requirement of the Code is that social landlords assess their complaints handling against the Code annually, using a standard template provided by the Housing Ombudsman. Local Authority landlords must report the outcomes of the assessment to Elected Members and publish the assessment on their website and in their annual report.

An assessment against the code was undertaken in July 2022 and the purpose of the report was to:-

1.     Inform Housing Policy Committee of the outcomes of the assessment, and of the actions agreed to address non-compliance.

2.     Seek the Housing Policy Committee’s approval to publish the outcomes of the assessment.

3.      

12.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Housing Policy Committee:-

1.     That the Housing Committee notes the outcomes of the self-assessment against the Code.

2.     That the Housing Committee gives their approval for the outcomes of the assessment to be published.

12.3

Reasons for Decision

Housing Policy Committee is being asked to note the self-assessment and to give its approval for publication of the assessment on the Council website because this will help us achieve transparency and accountability in how we manage with housing-related complaints. It is also a requirement of the Housing Ombudsman for all social landlords that we do so.

12.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

Self-assessment against the Housing Ombudsman’s Code and publication of the outcomes, are a requirement of all social landlords. Therefore, in this respect there were no other alternatives considered.

10.1

This report sets out the budget pressures and risks facing the services that are the responsibility of the Waste & Street Scene (WSS) Policy Committee and a budget action plan to mitigate these as far as possible in the 23/24 financial year. It provides recommendations for approval which will allow our services to contribute to Sheffield City Council’s ability to set a balanced budget.

10.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Waste and Street Scene Policy Committee:-

1.     Acknowledge the recommendation approved at the Strategy and Resources Committee on 5 July 2022. “Policy Committees will be asked to develop savings / additional income options that cover their own pressures – in effect cash standstill” and to “require Policy Committees to report at their meetings in September on how they can balance their budgets.”

2.     Note, as this Committee's initial response to the Strategy and Resources Committee's request, the set of budget proposals set out in this report, including Part 2 of the report.

3.     Note that Officers will now work with Members to consult with relevant stakeholders (including with partners, trades unions and in respect of equalities and climate change) on the proposals in this report so as to inform final budget proposals.

4.     Note that Officers will work to develop any necessary detailed implementation plans for the proposals in this report so that the proposals, if ultimately approved, can be implemented as planned before or during the 2023/24 financial year.

5.     Ask to receive a further report in November that will set out the final budget for this Committee following consultation and any adjustments requested by the Strategy and Resources Committee.

10.3

Reasons for Decision

10.3.1

Members are asked to note the unsustainable financial position highlighted by the medium-term financial analysis presented to Strategy and Resources Committee in July 2022. This report and its recommendations, sets out the scale of the challenge ahead, the limited resources available and some of the difficult decisions that will need to be taken.

10.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

10.4.1

The Council is required to both set a balance budget and to ensure that in-year income and expenditure are balanced. No other alternatives were considered.

8.1

The Licensing Authority is seeking approval of the revised Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver’s Licence Policy. First published in 2016, the policy provides information and guidance on:

•        applications

•        decision-making

•        enforcement

In providing a publicly available document, it allows:

•        transparency

•        accountability

•        consistency

8.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Waste and Street Scene Policy Committee:-

1.     Approve the revised Hackney Carriage & Private Hire Drivers Licence Policy as set out in appendix H of the report, with the exception of the following amendments:

a.     Condition 10a – The licensee is permitted to undertake bookings from only one private hire operator at any one time – use of multiple booking systems used simultaneously is not permitted – is removed. 

b.     Condition 10b is re-numbered Condition 10a. 

c.     Condition 10c – The licensee must display signage of the Private Hire Operator for which they undertake bookings – is renumbered
Condition 10b and is amended to say “The licensee must display signage as approved by the Licensing Service.” With the Private Hire Operator and Vehicle Licence Policy providing further information on requirements. 

d.     The requirement to undertake disability awareness training to be within 2 years from the time accredited organisations have been appointed. 

With the policy to come into force on 1st November 2022. 

8.3

Reasons for Decision

8.3.1

The Department for Transport recommends that licensing authorities make publicly available a cohesive policy document and to review this document every five years.

The licensing authority already has in place a Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver’s Licence Policy document which has now been reviewed to take into account the recommendations in the Department for Transport Statutory Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle Standards.

The document is designed to:

·       Provide individuals with a clear, consistent basis for submitting applications

·       Provide a clear, consistent basis for determining licence applications

·       Provide licensees with information on licensing requirements throughout the time they are licensed

8.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

8.4.1

There are no alternative options under consideration

9.1

This report brings the Committee up to date with the Council’s financial position as at Month 4 2022/23.

9.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Waste and Street Scene Policy Committee:-

1.     Note the Council’s challenging financial position as at the end of July 2022 (month 4).

9.3

Reasons for Decision

9.3.1

By the law the Council must set and deliver a balanced budget, which is a financial plan based on sound assumptions which shows how income will equal spend over the short- and medium-term. This can take into account deliverable cost savings and/or local income growth strategies as well as useable reserves.

9.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

9.4.1

The Council is required to both set a balance budget and to ensure that in-year income and expenditure are balanced. No other alternatives were considered.

7.1

Each Local Area Committee has a £100,000 budget to address local priorities, identified within their respective Community Plans.  This report sets out initial details of the proposed spending within this £100,000 budget during the 2022/23 financial year.

7.2

RESOLVED: that the North Local Area Committee:

(i)              notes the proposed anticipated expenditure against the £100,000 budget to address local priorities in the North Local Area Committee Community Plan in 2022/23, as detailed in the report, and in particular:-

(ii)      to the extent that it is not covered by existing authority, authorises the Community Services Manager to make decisions on expenditure relating to the priorities set out in the report provided that:

·         the decision is taken in consultation with the Local Area Committee Chair;

·         the decision may not approve expenditure on any element in excess of the anticipated limit for that element set out in the report; and

·         a report detailing the delegated spending decisions taken by the Community Services Manager is presented to the next Local Area Committee meeting.

(iii)  agrees the attached action plan as a basis to develop future projects/activity.

7.3

Reasons for Decision

The North Local Area Committee is asked to note the proposed allocation of funding to the projects identified to enable detailed planning to commence and delivery to begin in the coming months.

7.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

7.4.1

Decisions on any expenditure above the existing authority to the Community Services Manager could be reserved to the Local Area Committee but this would delay delivery of priority actions to address specific issues identified in the Community Plan.

7.4.2

All decisions on expenditure to support Community Plan priorities could be delegated to officers.  However, this would restrict the Local Area Committee’s ability to monitor its delegated budget and delivery of the Community Plan.